Sensors & Transducers


Leuze sensors in a modern logistics centre

March 2012 Sensors & Transducers

Leuze electronic sensor systems have been installed in one of Europe’s most modern logistics centres in Weilerswist near Cologne. The new dm-drogerie markt logistics centre covers a total area of 50 0000 square metres including the order picking warehouse for pallets and small parts as well as the high–bay warehouse. This massive facility boasts 18 000 pallet spaces, 5000 order picking spaces, 13 high–bay storage devices and some 3500 metres of pallet conveyors and has the capacity to handle up to 390 pallets per hour.

On top of this, there are some 140 000 storage spaces in the small–parts area in which 52 high–bay storage devices are used to warehouse, supply items in the order picking zones and retrieve the order containers used here. Small parts and boxed goods still on pallets can be temporarily stored in 30 metre tall high–bay warehouses in 14 000 additional pallet storage places. To facilitate order picking, up to 163 controlled telpher line vehicles or ‘caddies’ travel through the aisles over a total length of more than 2000 metres.

The complexity and high level of automation give insight into the demands placed on the sensor systems: specialised Leuze sensors are used to direct the flow of goods over extensively branched pallet and container handling technology; to position high-bay storage devices and telpher lines; to ensure the functions of machines such as robots, stretchers and turners and to transmit data and provide protection in safety areas. Some 1800 pallets carrying over 15 000 different articles are delivered to the dm markets every day from the new distribution centre.

Quick identification, switching, data transmission and storage

The Leuze sensors used in the new dm–drogerie markt drugstore chain distribution centre are a key component of the state-of-the-art system technology. From the simple switching sensor to high-end solutions for barcode identification of pallets and boxes, Leuze solutions are playing a major role in ensuring the accurate and productive performance of the centre.

By using scanners for the precise positioning of high-bay storage devices and order picking telpher lines, as well as systems for wireless data transmission, Swisslog has created a gigantic logistics solution for the dm – drogerie markt in Weilerswist and as far as efficiency goes has broken new ground in Europe.

Some 700 barcode readers are located at each branch of the extensive material flow system allowing reliable and fast product identification. These devices were selected according to the necessary scanning distances and reading field sizes. Leuze positioning systems are used for the positioning of the high-bay storage devices and the CaddyPick telpher line vehicles, offering a high level of functional reliability and redundant data polling as well as minimal maintenance.

The transmission of the position data in the 75 metre long aisles is performed by DDLS 200 data transmission photoelectric sensors which permit contact and wear free optical communication without interference at a transmission rate of up to 2 Mbit/s over distances of up to 500 metres.

For more information contact Gerry Bryant, Countapulse Controls, +27 (0)11 615 7556, [email protected], www.countapulse.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Optimise sludge treatment and reduce operational costs
Sensors & Transducers
The Endress+Hauser inline measuring devices, the Proline Teqwave MW 300 and the Proline Teqwave MW 500, determine the total solids content of wastewater directly through microwave transmission. This is considerably less time consuming than the process of determining total solids content in a laboratory.

Read more...
Family of analysers for smart and efficient chlorine measurement
ABB South Africa Sensors & Transducers
ABB has launched ChloroStar, a family of sensors, transmitters and accessories for accurate and reliable chlorine measurement and analysis that enable users in the water, wastewater and other industries to control chlorine more efficiently, enhancing treatment and increasing process uptime.

Read more...
Leading the way with Level 9 PDS implementation
Sensors & Transducers
Applying a Level 9 Proximity Detection System (PDS) to a mining operation is as much about changes in behaviour as it is about technical solutions, according to Pieter Wolfaardt from Apex, Booyco Electronics’ training partner of choice.

Read more...
Enhanced automated weld inspection system
Sensors & Transducers
SmartRay is offering the release of new hardware for its weld inspection system, JOSY, delivering elevated performance and flexibility in the process.

Read more...
Leaders in sensor technology
Gail Norton Instrumentation Sensors & Transducers
Photoelectric eyes have always needed perfect working conditions, but in the workplace there is no such thing. Steam, water, light and dirt interfere with most photoelectric eyes, but never with a Telco sensor.

Read more...
Easy parameter setting of vision sensors
ifm - South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Contour verification and object inspection are two of the most important functionalities in industrial imaging. With the new O2D5xx series, ifm now offers a solution that perfectly masters both functionalities

Read more...
Keeping a close eye on product quality and purity
Endress+Hauser South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Colour measurements are necessary in many processes to avoid product losses and ensure safe production and batching. The Memosens Wave CKI50 process spectrometer from Endress+Hauser is a compact, robust and process-friendly device allowing quality, batching and phase checks to be performed by a single instrument for the entire visible colour spectrum.

Read more...
The sensory reaction of building management systems
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems (BMS) cannot function properly without sensors. This is so critical that if sensors start failing, they can become ‘blind’.

Read more...
Advanced sensor technology to reduce vehicle fatalities
Senseca Sensors & Transducers
Measurement technology plays a critical role across a range of industries. This is especially true when supplying highly accurate and reliable data for road management entities that assist drivers of vehicles experiencing hazardous weather conditions.

Read more...
High-precision automated inspection
Sensors & Transducers
Delivering advanced inline metrology to an expanding range of challenging industries, SmartRay is launching the smallest field-of-view 3D sensor of its cutting-edge ECCO X series.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved